The Lok Sabha today took up the Footwear Design and Development Institute Bill, 2017 for discussion. The bill seeks to establish and declare the Footwear Design and Development Institute, FDDI as an institution of national importance.<br/><br/>It also seeks promotion and development of quality and excellence in education, research and training in all disciplines relating to footwear and leather products. <br/><br/>The functions of the Institute include developing and conducting courses relating to footwear and leather products' design and development and granting degrees, diplomas and certifications. <br/><br/>The FDDI will also function as a national resource centre for curriculum development, training and skill development in the leather sector. Moving the bill, Commerce and Industry Minister Narmala Sitharaman said, there are seven such institutes functional in different parts of the country which will be declared the institution of national importance.<br/><br/>The initiative will help promote and development of research activities in leather industries. Initiating the debate, Ranjeet Ranjan of Congress stressed on the need for foucusing on ensuring quality of leather products while taking care of their price. She said, there is need to strengthen the marketing infrastructure for the promotion of indigenously manufactured leather products. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat of BJP hailed the Commerce Minister of bringing the bill. He said, five more FDDI institutes will come up in various parts of the country. <br/><br/>He said, with the new legislation, these institutes will be able to provide degree and diplomas to students studying in these institutes. He said, the shoes manufactured by these institutes are being used by police and security personnel. Mamtaz Sanghamita of TMC stressed on the need for research and innovation in the leather sector. The discussion remained inconclusive.